Fresh Market

There is more to the market than veggies and chochkie, we can't forget the critters. Its the day for the kitchen god to make his report to the ancestors, so people are buying three goldfish to feed and then set free in the river/lake/pond whatever body of water is handy. it is thought that the god will give a good report of the household because of ths act of kindness. The Kihn (Viet people) and local tribes still put stock in Confucian philosophy and superstition. Temples to notable ancestors abound as well as pagodas for Buddhism, though the latter are fewer.


Clearly the other fish on offer are intended for food, and it doesn't get much fresher than this. Other critters are here as well: Fresh chickens come "DIY" or prepared






And there are the ever present piggies, both th large pink ones and the smaller black haired ones. Don't they look like they've had their toenails painted?





Our hotel keepers at La Elegance hotel were celebrating that night and had purchased a small pig who was tied by his back leg in the parking area of the hotel. We heard blood curdling squeals and looked out our second floor balcony to witness his demise. The little kids were all excited by the event, having never seen it before. They got a closer experience than most of us ever will of the relationship between critters and dinner.



Later I got to wash my hair before the autumn afternoon rain arrived


-On the road with Kathryn

Location:Sapa